The transformation unfolds before veteran vocalist Ginny Pugh Spillman ever sings a note. She can feel it.
“It happens every time as soon as I put on that little black wig,” Pugh Spillman said.
The hair seems to bring her within a hair’s breadth of the spirit of one of one of country music’s most beloved figures — Patsy Cline, who tragically died in a plane crash at the height of her success at age 30 in 1963. Pugh Spillman has sung as Cline in stage shows as far back at 2009. And she has earned more than applause.
“You do her proud,” more than a few audience members have told the Indianapolis-based singer.
Pugh Spillman takes centerstage again during the planned two-hour, original script Actors Studio On Stage presentation of “Sweet Dreams: A Tribute to Patsy Cline” Friday through Sunday this weekend and next at the 100-seat Willow Leaves of Hope, 326 Jackson St. on the historic Hope Town Square. The dinner theater production includes about 20 Cline tunes, from “Crazy” to “Walkin’ After Midnight” to her remake of “Blue Moon of Kentucky.”
It also will include Naomi Fleetwood-Pyle as Texas housewife and Cline friend Louise Seger and Dawn Mayes singing a few tunes of Cline pal Loretta Lynn and also country legend Tammy Wynette.
The show, with both the silly and the sublime, has been organized several times in the past — with sellouts — at the intimate venue. And it returns by request. Script writer and director Fleetwood-Pyle has had plenty of people asking her to offer it to audiences once more. So she tweaked her previous format, added a little more variety and comedy, and voila.
Already, the two Sunday shows are full.
In the planning stages, Fleetwood Pyle knew she wanted in the lead role Pugh-Spillman, who has sung in previous Willow Leaves shows and as Cline over much of the South and elsewhere. The crooner currently is planning a Florida tour as Cline for next year.
“Ginny sings Patsy Cline like nobody’s business,” Fleetwood-Pyle said. “So, I am really excited about this one. Plus, it still amazes me to this day that people still love Patsy Cline so much.”
Pugh Spillman aims to leave dinner theater patrons doing more humming a familiar melody afterward. Ideally, she wants to usher them into the past for a gut-level feeling of a fierce woman in a musical age when fierce females were hardly welcomed warmly.
“When they go home, I want them to be able to say, ‘I really feel like I saw Patsy Cline tonight,’” Push Spillman said.
Before shows debut, Fleetwood-Pyle frequently offers several disclaimers about her own singing ability. But she will do a duet with Pugh Spillman on “Blue Moon of Kentucky.” And the trio expects to close the show with the classic faith anthem “How Great Thou Art.”
“I always like to leave the audience,” Fleetwood-Pyle said, “with a big, emotional warm fuzzy.”
About the show
What: “Sweet Dreams: A Tribute to Patsy Cline,” an original-script show with music, narration and dialogue.
When: Friday through Sunday this weekend and Aug. 23-25 the following weekend.
Where: Willow Leaves of Hope, 326 Jackson St. in Hope.
Information, times and tickets: $35, available at812-341-7251.
About the show
What: “Sweet Dreams: A Tribute to Patsy Cline,” an original-script show with music, narration and dialogue.
When: Friday through Sunday this weekend and Aug. 23-25 the following weekend.
Where: Willow Leaves of Hope, 326 Jackson St. in Hope.
Information, times and tickets: $35, available at812-341-7251.
